Ken Ofori-Atta, Ghana's former Finance Minister, who is currently facing corruption charges back home, has been detained by US immigration authorities. His legal team confirmed the detention, indicating it is related to his immigration status as Ghana intensifies its efforts to extradite him amid serious allegations.
Ofori-Atta left Ghana last year for medical treatment, according to his lawyers. While his legal team is challenging the extradition request, claiming the accusations are politically motivated, they expect his immigration matter in the US to be resolved quickly.
In a recent statement, his attorneys noted that Ofori-Atta, committed to compliance with the law, is working on changing his visa status in order to remain in the US beyond the validity period of his current visa.
The former minister faces numerous charges from his time in office during the previous administration, including conspiracy to commit procurement fraud and causing financial losses to the state. In February, he was declared a fugitive by Ghanaian prosecutors, but this status was later revoked when his team affirmed his intention to return to Ghana.
Ofori-Atta, serving as Finance Minister from January 2017 to February 2024, was part of the New Patriotic Party, which subsequently lost the December 2024 elections to the opposition National Democratic Congress, led by John Mahama, who promised to tackle corruption.
This situation comes against a backdrop of Ghana's historically cooperative relationship with the US on various matters, although it has condemned certain US actions, like those in Venezuela.
